What Should a Painting Contract Include? A Homeowner’s Checklist

You have compared estimates, picked a painter, and agreed on a price. The next document you see is the contract, and it matters more than the estimate. The estimate shows what the painter proposed. The contract is what both of you have agreed to, and it is what you can point to if something goes wrong. A good painting contract is not long or complicated. It simply puts every important detail in writing so there is nothing left to memory. This checklist covers what to look for before you sign.

Quick Answer: What Should a Painting Contract Include?

A painting contract should include the contractor’s license number and contact details, the exact surfaces and colors, the paint products and number of coats, the prep work, start and finish dates, the total price and payment schedule, how change orders work, the warranty, clean-up, how the job is signed off, and your right to cancel. If something was promised verbally, it belongs in the contract.

Estimate vs Contract: What Is the Difference?

Your estimate is the painter’s proposal. It describes the work and the price so you can decide. If you have not compared estimates yet, our guide on how to read a painting estimate line by line explains what each line should show. The contract carries those details forward and adds the terms that govern the job: dates, payments, changes, sign-off, and cancellation. In California, all but the smallest home improvement jobs must have a written contract, and the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) lists what that contract should contain in its Home Improvement Contracts consumer guide. Before you sign, check that nothing from the estimate went missing on the way into the contract.

The Painting Contract Checklist

1. Contractor Details and License Number

The contract should show the company’s name, address, phone number, and California contractor’s license number. Check that the license number matches the business you are hiring and is active on the CSLB website. If the painter has employees, California requires them to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and it is reasonable to ask for proof of that and of general liability insurance. Our guide on how to pick a painting contractor explains how to check both.

2. Scope: Every Surface, Room by Room

The contract should list every surface to be painted, using the same wording as the estimate you accepted. For an interior, that means each room and whether walls, ceilings, trim, doors and closets are included. For an exterior, it means siding, trim, fascia, soffits, doors, garage doors and any other structures. If a surface is not listed, assume it is not included. Ask for anything you expected to be added before you sign.

3. Colors: A Written Color Schedule

This is the part of a contract that is most often left vague, and it causes more disagreements than almost anything else. Ask for a color schedule that lists, for each room or surface:

• The paint color name and color code
• The brand the color comes from
• The sheen

“Light gray in the living room” is not enough. A color name and code means there is no doubt about what goes on the wall. Many painters also ask you to sign off on colors after test samples are applied, which is worth including.

4. Products and Coats

The contract should name the paint brand and product line for each surface, the primer, and the number of finish coats, matching what was quoted. It should also say what happens if a product is unavailable. A simple line such as “no product substitutions without the homeowner’s written approval” protects you from receiving a lower-grade paint than you paid for.

5. Prep Work

List the prep steps agreed in the estimate, such as washing, scraping, sanding, priming, caulking and patching. Also note who is responsible for moving furniture, removing wall hangings, and clearing the work area. Spelling out who does what avoids a slow first morning and surprise charges. Our guide to paint prep explains why each step matters.

6. Start and Finish Dates

The contract should give an expected start date and finish date. For exterior work, it helps to include how weather delays are handled. In Chico, extreme summer heat, rain and smoky days can all push back exterior painting, because paint needs the right temperature and conditions to cure properly. A fair contract allows for reasonable delays and says how you will be told about them. It is also worth agreeing on working hours and whether the crew will be on site every day until the job is finished.

7. Price, Payment Schedule and Deposit

The contract should state the total price and a payment schedule showing how much each payment is and what work it covers. Two California rules apply to home improvement contracts, according to the CSLB:

• Deposit: the down payment cannot be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. On an $8,000 job, that means a deposit of no more than $800. On a $20,000 job, it is capped at $1,000. The CSLB says there is no exception for special-order materials. The only exception is for a small number of contractors who hold a special blanket performance and payment bond on file with the CSLB.

• Progress payments: payments cannot be more than the value of the work already done. A typical schedule ties each payment to a clear milestone, such as completion of prep, completion of the main walls or siding, and a final payment after the walkthrough. Avoid paying the final balance until the job is finished and any touch-ups are done.

8. Change Orders

Plans change. You might add a room, switch a color, or ask for extra repairs once the painter finds rotted trim. The CSLB says any change to the contract price must be made with a written change order, signed by both you and the contractor, which then becomes part of the contract.

Your contract should say this clearly, and each change order should list:

• What is being added, removed, or changed
• The price of the change
• Any effect on the finish date

Avoid agreeing to extra work verbally on the job site, even for small items. A two-line written change order prevents arguments about the final bill.

9. Warranty

If the painter offers a warranty, the contract should include it in writing: how long it lasts, what it covers (for example, peeling or blistering caused by the application), and what it does not cover. It should also explain how to make a claim, such as who to contact and how quickly the painter will respond.

10. Clean-Up and Leftover Paint

The contract should say how often the work area is cleaned, who removes debris and empty cans, and how floors, furniture, and landscaping are protected. A useful extra is asking the painter to leave labeled leftover paint for each color, so you have the exact match for future touch-ups.

11. Final Walkthrough and Sign-Off

The contract should explain how the job is completed. The usual approach is a final walkthrough with the painter, a written list of any touch-ups (often called a punch list), and the final payment once those items are done. Agreeing on this in advance makes the end of the project simple.

12. Your Right to Cancel and Required Notices

California home improvement contracts include a notice of your right to cancel. According to the CSLB, you have three business days to cancel after signing, or five business days if you are 65 or older. Contractors must also give you a Mechanics Lien Warning, which explains how liens work and how to protect yourself from them. If these notices are missing, ask about them before you sign.

Before You Sign: Quick Checklist

License number is on the contract and checks out

• Every surface is listed, room by room
• Color schedule with names, codes and sheens
• Paint products, primer and number of coats match the estimate
• No substitutions without your written approval
• Prep steps and homeowner responsibilities are written down
• Start and finish dates, plus how delays are handled
• Deposit is no more than $1,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less
• Payment schedule tied to completed work
• Change orders must be written and signed by both of you
• Warranty terms are in writing
• Clean-up, leftover paint and final walkthrough are covered
• Right-to-cancel notice and Mechanics Lien Warning are included

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Written Contract for a Small Painting Job?

Yes, California requires a written home improvement contract when the combined labor and material cost exceeds $500. Even when a painting project falls below that threshold, a written agreement can prevent misunderstandings about the work. The contract should identify the surfaces being painted, preparation, repairs, products, colors, number of coats, price, payment schedule, and expected start and completion dates. California home improvement contracts must also include specific notices and consumer information, so a simple one-page description may not satisfy every legal requirement. Review the CSLB’s home improvement contract guidance before signing.

Can a Painter Ask for a Deposit to Buy Paint?

Yes, a painter can request a down payment, but California generally limits it to $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever amount is less. The contractor cannot increase the deposit simply because paint or other materials must be purchased. After the down payment, progress payments should correspond to work completed or materials delivered rather than requiring you to pay far ahead of the project. The contract should clearly show the deposit and payment schedule before you sign it. Certain legally recognized exceptions can apply, so homeowners should review the specific agreement and current CSLB contract checklist when questions arise.

What If I Want to Change a Color After Work Has Started?

Ask the painter for a written change order before the new color or revised work begins. The change order should identify the new color, affected surfaces, added or removed work, price adjustment, and any effect on the completion date or payment schedule. A color change can require additional paint, primer, labor, or coats, especially if the new choice differs greatly from the original color or paint has already been applied. California requires changes to a home improvement contract to be documented in writing. Review and sign the change order before authorizing the revised work so you and the painter have the same expectations about cost and timing.

Can I Cancel a Painting Contract After I Sign It?

You may have a three-business-day right to cancel a California home improvement contract, while qualifying consumers age 65 or older may have five business days. However, cancellation rights depend on how and where the agreement was negotiated, the contract amount, and whether an exception applies. Certain service and repair contracts requested for urgent work follow different rules. Your contract should include the required cancellation notice and explain how to submit written notice. After the applicable cancellation period ends, your options generally depend on the contract terms and circumstances. Review the CSLB’s cancellation guidance or consult a qualified attorney about a specific dispute.

Start Your Project With a Clear Contract

At SGB Custom Painting, we put the details in writing so you know what to expect before the first brush stroke. If you are planning a project, try our Painting Cost Estimator for a quick ballpark, or contact us to book a free estimate for interior or exterior painting in Chico and the North Valley.